11 Nights Grand China Trip (Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie & Shanghai)

About the destination: Situated in northern China, Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, the most populous country in the world. With a population of over 21million people, it is the nation's second-largest city after Shanghai. Beijing is a modern city of impressive new urban and commercial developments that looks towards the future but it is intrinsically linked to its imperial past. Beijing is renowned for its lavish palaces, ancient temples, and huge stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and important government and cultural institutions have long made the city a center of culture and art in China. The heart of the city and most important landmark is Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. The Tiananmen Gate separates the square from the Forbidden Palace, one of the city’s must-sees. The Forbidden Palace was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today it is known as the Palace museum and is one of the wonders of ancient China. Other Beijing’s main attractions are The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the ancient alleyway neighborhoods, where you can find traditional Beijing architecture, called Hutongs. Beijing is a good base to visit some of China’s major landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs. Some great world famous cultural and heritage sites, a thriving nightlife, great sporting facilities given as a legacy from the 2008 Olympic Games, great food such as Peking Duck, and good entertainment options like the Beijing Opera, make Beijing a fascinating city offering a lot to visitors.

About the destination: Xi’an is a historic city in Shaanxi Province in China. Xi’an lies in the central part of Guanzhong Plain between the Wei River to the north and the Qinling Mountain to the south. It is a harmonious town, where tradition and modernity stand side by side. Xi’an has immense historical significance and it houses some of the famous China attractions and some of the most important archaeological sites in China. The city was the capital for 13 dynasties, and a total of 73 emperors ruled here, with so much history within the ground the city lies upon, it is no wonder that there are so many historical ruins, museums and cultural relics to be found here. The most important sites to visit in Xi’an are the City Wall of Xi'an, the world's largest city wall, the Grand Mosque and the historic Qin Terra Cotta Warriors. But the city is filled with historical relics with 72 tombs of Emperors and palaces, temples and multiple other reminders of the past. Other notable sites in and around Xi'an include the Large and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, which were built in the Tang Dynasty. Xi'an is also home to one of China's best museums, the Shaanxi History Museum, which contains an outstanding collection of artifacts from the various early dynasties that ruled China.

About the destination: Zhangjiajie is located in central China, northwest Hunan Province, over 1,000 kilometers from both Shanghai and Beijing. Zhangjiajie is famous for its precarious peaks, limpid streams, dense forests, and large karst caves. Zhangjiajie was thrust into foreigner travelers' eyes after the movie Avatar. The Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In 1982, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park became China's first national forest park.

About the destination: Shanghai is modern city located just south of the mouth of the mighty Yangtze River and split in two by the Huangpu River. It is one of China's largest metropolis and it is considered the most cosmopolitan, sophisticated and progressive city in mainland China. Shanghai is a good place to visit if you want to catch a glimpse of the future of China. A whole new city of skyscrapers has been built in its Pudong district, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has become one of the city’s landmarks and is one of the tallest structures in Asia and the Shanghai World Financial Center, the third largest building in Asia and the world. At the west side of the Yangzi River is Puxi area, the older central part of the city. Puxi has very rich history and is here where you will encounter many of the city’s old buildings and attractions, such as the French Concession, the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden, the Jiu Qu Bridge, the Huxin Pavilion and the Temple. Shanghai is China’s cosmopolitan hub of finance and culture. Shanghai has a special oriental charm and a fresh western style that appeal to everyone. And it is also a good base to explore the more rural and classical sights of nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.